About Blake Shaw

I am a photographer based in San Diego. I now specialize in bird photography, but also regularly photograph scenes of Mexico, Route 66, tennis, bicycle racing, flowers, and people. My work hangs in galleries in San Diego and elsewhere, and I am available for slide shows, lectures, and exhibitions.

July 2008

July 30, 2008

In a time when it is considered chic to lionize murderers such as Che Guevera or Chairman Mao, it is heartening to see the groundswell of support for a movie that celebrates a bloodless revolution in the name of true freedom, the Singing Revolution of Estonia.

Estonia, one of the Baltic States, has a long history of occupation by foreign dictators, including, in the 20th Century, the Nazis and the Soviets. The movie, The Singing Revolution, recounts how music and singing, as well as the courage of scores of peace-loving people, helped bring about the eviction of the communist rule in Estonia.

This movie has relied almost entirely on word-of-mouth and an internet campaign to raise awareness and to gain an audience. It ends a three-week run in San Diego tomorrow night. See it in a theater if you can, join the campaign to bring it to a theater near you, or buy the dvd when it comes out. In a world sometimes short of heroes, there are plenty in this thrilling documentary.

Not mentioned in the film is how Mart Laar (part of the Singing Revolution), as prime minister from 1999-2002, enacted a flat tax and helped transform this small country into an economic tiger that is now consistently ranked as one of the freest and most prosperous countries in the world.

July 10, 2008

The Alley Cat Art Walk happens this Friday and Saturday in El Cajon, California. The Art Walk features a juried art show at Sophie's Gallery, 108 Rea Ave, El Cajon, as well as musical entertainment, art demonstrations, and vendor booths.

The juried art show features five of my bird photographs, including this one. There will be a reception from 4-7 p.m. Friday night, July 11, with an awards presentation at 6 p.m. The Art Walk continues Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. The Art Show will be on display at Sophie's Gallery through July 31.